A story of love and loss, hope and despair, God and whiskey, barbecue and the blues, this book marks the emergence of a vital new voice in American fiction

LaVerne Williams is a reformed felon, ex-ballplayer, and owner of Kansas City's best barbecue joint. Ferguson Glen is an Episcopal priest, faded literary star, and a lover of God, women, and liquor—but not necessarily in that order. Their lives intersect at LaVerne's diner—"Smoke Meat," as the regulars call it. There they are joined by a cast of remarkable characters, including LaVerne's devoted right-hand man, A.B. Clayton; blues legend "Mother" Mary Weaver; and Sammy Merzeti, a young man with a bloody past—and a bloodier future. An epic redemption tale and the story of two men coming to terms with their pasts, this is also a funny and soulful novel about faith, race, storytelling, bourbon, the language of rabbits, and the finer points of barbecue technique.

About the Author&colon;

Doug Worgul is a former newspaper journalist and magazine editor and a nationally recognized authority on the history and cultural significance of American barbecue traditions. He lives in Kansas City.